Madame Boncault withheld me. 'Do you doubt my regard for you?'
asked she; 'if indeed you do justice to my sincere attachment to
you, permit me to make this one sacrifice for your safety. Leave
your husband at liberty to entertain his present suspicions
respecting me, but grant me one favor in your turn. Speak to
your cousin; request him to quit the chateau, for should he
remain the truth will be discovered, and then, my friend, you are
lost past my endeavors to save you.'
"Less generous than madame Boncault, I consented to follow her
advice. However, I have never forgotten her generous devotion;
and now that the opportunity has presented itself of proving my
gratitude, I beseech of you, my dear countess, to aid me in the
discharge of my debt of gratitude."
As madame de Forcalquier finished speaking, I threw myself into
her arms. "From this moment," cried I, "madame Boncault is my
dear and esteemed
; and if I have any influence over
the mind of the king, she shall be appointed lady in waiting to
our young princess. Such a woman is a treasure, and I heartily
thank you for having mentioned her to me."
CHAPTER XXXV
Marriage of madame Boncault--The comte de Bourbon Busset --Marriage
of comte d'Hargicourt--Disgrace of the comte de Broglie--He is
replaced by M. Lemoine--The king complains of ennui--Conversations
on the subject--Entry into Paris
Spite of the merit of madame Boncault, and the many eulogiums I
bestowed on her whilst relating her history to the king, I could
not immediately obtain the post madame de Forcalquier had requested
for this paragon of friends.
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